Electrical controlling and regulating apparatus.



G. T. ASHLEY.

ELECTRICAL CONTROLLING AND REGULATING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED DEG. 1 3, 1909.

Patented Nov. 4, 1913.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

j y/vwacsaw; QE MK Jim 1Q! kayak G. T. ASHLEY. ELECTRICAL CONTROLLING AND REGULA'IING APPARATUS.

AEPLIOATION FILED DBO.13, 1909.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

m m. H M I G. T. ASHLEY.

ELECTRICAL CONTROLLING AND REGULATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 1320.13, 1909.

1,077,451 Patented NOVA, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

CO/LS UNITED srn'rns Pnrnnr onnron.

GEORGE '1. ASHLEY, QFSA'NTA MONICA, CALIFQRNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 FAIRBANKS-MORSE ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA, A COBPO- RATION OF INDIANA,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. t, 1913.

Application filed Eecember 13, 1809. Serial No. 532,968.

- To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Gnoiion T. Asnnnr, of the county of Marion, in the State of Indiana, now residing zit-Santa Monica, in

the county of Los insoles, State of California, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Electrical Controlling and. Regulating Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the construction and arrangements of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

I have-shown in the drawings, and in the following specification I will describe my invention by illustrating its operation in connection with an auto-starter for which it is primarily designed, although it is obvious its use is not limited to auto-starters alone.

iiuto-starters and auto-transformers have been used heretofore in starting induction motors, but owing to the fact that they have been easily mishandled by careless or inattentive operators, their use has not been as extensive as it would otherwise have been.

Most electrical apparatus effecting a safe and certain starting oif electric motors, and particularly auto-starters, are constructed so as to have three positions. An oft position, a start position and a run po sition. In the off position the autostarter is not connected with the main line. In the start position the motor is connected to the line through the auto transformer and the coils of the auto transformer reduce the rush of current from the line during the starting and acceleration of the motor. "he run position is the position of normal running. In this position the auto-transformer coils are cut out and the motor is connected directly to the line. Among difficulties heretofore found with those auto-starters used, the following may he mentioned, namely; they could be left on the start position indefinitely, whereas after a proper interval of time they should be thrown to the run position; they could bethrown from the oil position to the run position without being arrested at the start position and they were often left at ii'itermediate positions.

My intention when applied to auto starters overcomes these and other defects, and gives an auto-starter that cannot be left by the operator in the start position or any other position except the ofl? or run position, and that cannot be thrown directly from the oil to the run position without stopping at the start posi tion temporarily. t also insures a quick break in throwing from the run position to the off position.

In describing the apparatus employed and shown in the drawings hereto attached, and

described in the specification, I do not limitmy invention to the precise form, shape or construction of the apparatus'shown, or the several parts thereof, as various alterations maybe made without changing the scope of my invention. It is also manifest that certain of the ar 'angements shown herein may be advantageously used in switches, motors and other electrical apparatus, as well as in auto-starters, and, therefore, I do not limit myself to the use of my invention in autostarters alone.

Figure 1 is a front view showing the auto-starter in the off position. is a view showing the auto-starter in the run position. Fig". 3 is a perspective view of the small casting shown in Figs. 1 and 2, partly concealed by the handle but here shown with the handle and shaft removed. Fig. i is a crosssectional view on line of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 shows a crosssectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view on line 5'5 of Fig. Fig. 7 shows my invention utilized in an auto-transforn'ier and illustrat ing a manner in which such auto-transformer may be connected with a motor in the oil', start and run positions. Fig. 8 illustrates a connection of my apparatus with the line and Fig. 9 shows a motor incircuit with my apparatus.

In the figures of the drawings, 30 shows the case containing one or more trans formers; 43 shows the switch frame; 32 showsthe oil well or pan, which is attached to the switch frame in any usual way; 81 is a shaft to which is attached the handle 35. The shaft 81 is connected with a geared Fig. 9

quadrant 25, which meshes with the teeth of the pinion 27. This pinion is upon shaft 34, on which also there mounted a movable contact device 37 here shown, for convenience as a drum. On this latter are con tactplates or points which by the movement of the handle successively connects the motor with the auto-transformer and the line through the fingers 38, first in the start position and then in the run position counect the motor directly to the line. These connections are changed from the position suitable for starting to the position suitable for running by merely moving the handle which through the earing turns the contactdevice so that the aforesaid different electrical connections are made and broken. The handle 35 has a dcpressible button indicated at G.

7 is a. spiral. spring which opposes the messing down of button (3 and catch 10. W'ithin the spiral spring is a rod 8 and connecting the rod 8 to catch 10 is a spring-rod 9. The catch shown at'10 has a sloping; face, indicated at 29, to prevent the catch from engaging with lug 11, and lug 11 has likewise its end with an inclined plane indicated at 28. 12 is a projection which necessitates the radial depression 01 catch in its movement toward the running position.

i0 is an inclined plane on the projection 12 whereby the catch 10 in passing from the run position to the off position rises over such ascending surface and then drops from such protection into the channel im mediately above lug- 11.

13 is a stop, 14- a pivot; 15 a gravity dog. 16 a tooth therein; 17 is an impacting or contactine; face thereon; 18 is a bumper seat which is here shown as part of the stop 13. Within this bumper seat is inserted a rubber bumper 19.

20 is an arm which is part of the handle in throwing from the run to" the off position the recoil is taken up by the arm striking on the rubber bumper.

42 is a rod. 21 is a boss. 22 is a spiral spring. 23 as shown is a small casting which is attached to the exterior of the switch frame 13 by screws 41. This small casting is used primarily for economy, and it is evident that in place of this small casting, the switch frame may be cast in one piece with these various lugs and projections thereon.

24 is a fulcrum connecting the quadrant 25 with spring 22. The gearing of the quadrant 25 is shown at 26. i

44 are connection blocks from which extend the fingers 38 by which electrical connection is made with contact plates or points 39 on the contact device 37, first for the starting position and then for the runningr position. In Fig. 7 the fingers 38 are numbered in small numerals as well as the leads to facilitate an understanding of the operation of my apparatus. Many other arrangements of circuits may be made. The fuse-blocks shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are designated 1 6 nated 47.

The operation of my invention which I shall illustrate as used in an auto-starter, is follows. When the auto-starter is in the eif position as shown in Fig. 1, the operator grasps the handle and moves it to the right until it is in a vertical position. At this point its further motion to the right is arrested by the projection 12. In order to proceed further, it is then necessary for the operator to push down the button 6, which button on being pressed down in. turn depresses the rod 8 and the spring-rod 9, and moves the catch 10 out of engagement with said projection 1.2. The lug 11 serves to prevent the'operator from pressing down 'i the motor in Fig. 9 'is desigthe button, until the handle has reached the starting position. Otherwise an operator could, in grasping the handle, at the same time press down the button and in one quick throw move the handle from the off to the run position. While the handle is in the vertical or start position, the motor and the coil or coils of the autotransformer are connected.

On account of the compression of spring 22 and since the "end 28 of lug 11 is an inclined plane engaging the sloping face 29 on catch 10, it is impossible for the operator to leave the handle the off or run positions. It will, therefore, be seen that the operator cannot release his hold on the handle at any time prior to the tooth 16'engaging catch 10, or in other words, until the handle has been thrown over to the run position, or the position of normal operation as shown in Fig. 2, without the handle swinging back to the ofi' position.

When the motor has attained the proper speed the operator will continue the movement of the handle and swing it over from the start to the run position. On reaching this position the tooth 16 of the gravity dog 15 engages catch 10 as shown in Fig. 2. The gravity dog is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as swinging on pivot 14, which pivot is attached to the casting 23, which casting, in turn, is attached to the switch frame in any usual manner. The stop 13 is used to prevent the further movement of the handle 85 to the right and at the same time it is here used to prevent the gravity dog 15 from dropping below the position necessary to engage catch 10. lVhen it is desired to throw from the run position to the oii position, the gravity dog 15 engaging catch 10 should be raised, thereby releasing the handle, which owing to the pressure of the opposing spring 22,then under its greatest compression, swings back quickly to the off position, the catch 10 rises over the inclined plane of projection 12, compressing the spring rod 9 and drops into the channel in any position except [cal omes 1 above lug 11. By depressing the button 6 the handle may also be released, but this does not give as satisfactory a breaking of the electrical connections. The recoil in throwing from the run to the oil position is taken up by the arm striking on the bumper 19.

Any sort of a bumper may be used that will take up therecoil and prevent the castings from being fractured. The spring 22 which opposes the movement of the handle is connected with the geared quadrant shown in Figs. i and 5. This spring is arranged so as to insure a quick break in tl'irowing from the run to the ofi position. The quadrant is used for convenience but any geared wheel or means of transmitting motion to the contact device may be used. The gear reduction from shaft 31 to shaft 34 is made not only to v facilitate the submergence of said contacts in oil but also to increase the rapidity of the making and breaking of the connections.

I do not limit my invention to the using of two shafts, inasmuch as a number ofgears might be used or all gears might be omitted, the handle in the last instance being connected directly to the drum. Like- Wise I do not limit the use of my invention to such apparatus in which the electrical connections are made and broken under oil.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent of the United States, is

1. The combination of a movable contact device, said device having thereon points for making electrical contacts, fingers connected to electric conductors, a handle, a catch temporarily arresting the movementof said handle at an intermediate position, a

gravity dog having a tooth for holding the;

handle in running position, and means for throwing said handle back to its initial position without its stoppin at any intermediate positiointhereby making a quick break of said connections. w

2. The combination or" a movable contact device with electrical contact points or plates thereon, a handle operating said contact de vice, fingers connected to coils or conductors making different electrical connections successively through said contact points or plates, a spring opposing the motion of said handle, a catch on saidhandle, a projection which at an intermediate position prevents further movement of said handle until said catch-is depressed, whereupon said handle may be thrown to its-final positiomia tooth which holds said handle iii-final position and yet admits of a quick release of the handle and return to its initial position.

'3. The combination of a handle attached to a movable contact device, contact points or plates on said contact device;

'ection for tenmoraril r arrestingthe turni .l c

111;; oi said handle, means for disengaging said catch and projection, a tooth "for holding said handle at its final position and means for quickly throwing back saidhandle to its initial position without its being stopped at any intermediate point.

t. The combination of movable contact device, a handle turning said contact device through gearii'ig. a catch arresting said handle at its intermediate position, a projection engaging said catch, means for disengaging said catch at its intermediate position. means for holding said handle at its final position, yet allowing a ready release of said handle, means for causing said handle to swing back without stopping to its initial position, substantially as described.

5. The combination of a movable contact device with electrical contact points or plates thereon, a handle connected with and turning said contact device so as to make different electrical connections through the con tact points or plates on said contact device with fingers, fingers connected to coils or con ductors; a spring opposing the forward turning'of said handle, a catch, a projection, means for disengaging said. catch and projection, a gravity dog, a tooth therein for causing a quick break of said electrical connections and return of the handle and said contact device to their initial. positionsqvitlr out stopping at any intermediate point.

6. The combination of a handle,'a movable contact device, whereby in one position electrical connections of a certain character are obtained and in another or final position an electrical connection of another character is obtained, fingers making electrical connection with contact plates or points on said device, a catch in connection with said handle which prevents said handle from being thrown from its initial position to its finalposition, until. said catch is removed out of engagement with a projection arresting said handle, a projection to engage said catch, a gravity dog with a tooth therein for engaging said catch so as to be readily released and means for preventing said handle from being left in any intermediate point. substantially as described.

7. The combination of a handle connected through gears to a movable contact device, a movable contact device, electrical contact points or plates thereon, lingers engaging successively first one set of said contacts and then another set of said contacts; a projection; a catch, which upon the handle reach ing an intermediate position can be decatch or tion; a gravity dog with a tooth thereon to engage said catch at the final position of said handle, yet admitting of a quick release; a bumper taking up the recoil of said handle and means for causing a quick breaking of said connections and a return of said handle to its initial position, without stopping at any intermediate point, substantially as described.

8. The combination of a shaft having electrical contacts thereon, a handle turning said shaft to make different electrical connections through or by said contacts; a depressible catch operated by a button on said handle, a lug to prevent the depression of said catch until the handle is moved to its intermediate position, a projection arresting further motion of said handle at said intermediate position, until said catch is removed from engagement with said projection, a gravity dog with tooth therein to en gage said catch when the handle is in final position, an impacting surface whereby said catch may be released from engagement with said gravity dog, a spring opposing said handle and causing said handle to be thrown back to its initial position and a bumper to take up the recoil when the handle is thus thrown back.

9. The combination. of a shaft having electrical contact points or plates thereon, a'handle turning said shaft to make different electrical connections through or by said contact points or plates, fingers which make electrical connection with said contact points or plates, coils or conductors connected to such fingers; a dz iressible catch operated by a button on said handle, a lug to prevent the depression of said catch until the handle is moved to its intermediate position, a projectio'n arresting further motion of said handle at said intermediate position, until said catch is removed from engagement with said projection, a gravity dog with tooth therein to engage said catch when the handle is in final position, and means for causing a quick break of said electrical connections and the return of said. shaft and contacts to their initial position.

10. The combination of a shaft, electrical contacts thereon, gears turning said shaft, a handle for turning said gears, fingers connected to coils or conductors and making different electrical connections through or by said contacts, a movable catch on said handle, a lug to prevent the moving of said catch until the handle has reached its intermediate position, a projection arresting fur ther motion of said handle at said intermediate position, until said catch is removed from engagement with said projection, a gravity dog with tooth therein to engage said catch when the handle is in final position, an impacting surface or depressible button g said gravity dog and said handle thrown back to its initial position.

11. The combination of a movable contact device, electrical contacts thereon, fingers making electrical connections with said contacts, the coil or coils of an au'to-trans-- former with which said fingers are con netted, a handle whereby said contact do vice may be rotated through gears, a catch for arresting said handle in the start position, which arresting-means, after an interval of time, may be removed by the operator to allow the handle to reach its final position, means forholding said handie at the run position and means for quickly releasing said handle from such ongagement substantially as described.

In an auto-starter the combination of coils or conductors, a movable contact device with electrical contact points or plates thereon, fingers connected to said coils or conductors making different electrical connections with said points or plates, a spring opposing the motion of said handle, a projection, a catch, means for disengaging said catch and projection, whereupon said handle may be thrown to its final position, a lug preventing the depression of said catch until the handle has reached its intermediate position; a tooth which holds said handle in final position and yet admits of a quick release of said handle and a quick and uninterrupted return to the initial position of said handle and said'contactdevice.

13. In an auto-starter the combination of a movable contact device with electrical contact points or plates thereon, a handle connected with and turning said contact device so as to make different electrical connections through the contact plates or points on said contact device, turning of said handle, a projection which at an intermediate position arrests further turning of said handle, a catch which being depressed permits the handle to be thrown to its final position, means for holding said handle in final position and means which effect a quick break of the connections and return of said contactv device to its initial position, Without stopping at any intermediate point.

14. In an auto-starter the combination of a handle, electric circuits, a movable contact device whereby in one position electrical connections of acertain characterare obtained and in another or final position other electrical connections are obtained, a catch in connection with said handle whichprevents said handle from being thrown from its initial position to its final position, a projection opposing said catch at a predetermined intermediate position, ing said catch from being from en agement with depressed until whereby said catch may be released I the handle reaches such intermediate .posia spring opposing the a lug prevent-.

tion; a gravity dog with a tooth therein for engaging the aforesaid catch and retain ing said handle in its final position and yet admitting of a ready release, and means for preventing said handle from stopping or being left on any intermediate point, substantially as described.

15. In an auto-starter the combination of a handle connected through gears to a movable contact device, a movable contact device ;having electrical contact points or plates thereon, a catch, a projection, means whereby said catch is depressed out of. engagement with said projection, a lug preventing a depression or removal of said catch before reaching said intermediate position, a gravity dog with tooth therein to hold said handle in its final position, means for readily releasing said catch, means whereby saidhandle will without stopping on any intermediate point quickly return to its ini.-- tial position and a bumper to absorb the recoil ot' the handle.

16. In an auto-starter the combination oi electrical circuits and contact fingers, a movable contact device, electrical contacts on said cont-act device which efiect diderent electrical connections with the coil or coils of saidauto-starter through contact fingers, a handle which through gearing turns the contact device, a catch, a projection, a lug preventing the depression. oi said catch before it reaches said' interi'nediate position, tooth holding said handle at its final position and means for causing its ready and uninterrupted return to its initial position, substantially described.

17. In an auto-starter, the combination of a movable contact device having electrical contacts mounted thereon, a handle turning said movable contact device to make difi'erent electrical connections through or by said. contacts, fingers to connect said electrical contacts, a depressiblc catch operated by a button on said handle, a lug to prevent the depression of said catch until the handle is moved from its oli position to its start position, a projection arresting further motion of said handle at said start position, means for holding said movable contact device in final position and means for quickly breaking these connections and returning to the initial position.

18. In an auto-starter the combination of a switch frame, a movable contact device, a handle arranged so as to turn said contact device, contact points or plates on said contact device, fingers for completing electrical connections by or througl'i said points or plates, a projection arresting said handle at a predetermined interi'ncdiate position by engaging a catch on said handle, a lug preventing said catch "from being depressed prior to reaching said intermediate position,

- a button on said handle to depress said catch and allow the handle thereby to be moved to its final. position, a tooth or catch to hold said handle in its final position and means for securing a quick brealt of the electrical connections made through or by said contact plates or points and a quick and uninterrupted return of said handle to its initial position.

19. in an autostarter, the combination of a switch frame, a. movable contact device, a handle arranged so as to turn said contact device, contact points or plates on said device, fingers to which said points or plates make successive electrical connections, a projection which arrests said handle at its intermediate position by engaging a catch, means for removing said catch from engagement with said projection thereby perniitting the handle to be moved to its final position, a lug-preventing the depression of said catch until it reaches said intermediate po ition, a tooth or catch to hold said handle at final position, and means for securing a quick break of the electrical connections through said contact plates and their quick and uninterrupted return to their initial position Without stopping on or making connection atany intermediate position,

20. In an auto-starter, the combination of a movable contact device, contact points or plates on said contact device, a transformer coil, fingers in electrical connection therewith, which fingers bear upon and make electrical connection with diderent contact points or plates, a handle which through gears or a. pinion turns said contact device, means for arresting said contact device temporarily at its start position, and means for readily breaking the connections at said final position and quickly and uninterruptedly re- .turn' said conta device to its initial position without stopping at any intermediate position.

21. in an at a movable Ct plates on sai device, i by diil'c it contact j :ini's torn coil in electrical coi ction with one or more of said fingers, a handle turning said contact defie -means ior temporarily arrest 1g the turning of said handle at one or more predcterfrnined intermediate positions, means tor he n "aid handle at its final-position and nu, in. for (prickly throw-- ing said handle back to its in .l position without its stopping at an intermediate position.

In an device,

a movable core act c. l. or plates thereon, fingers h successively bear on different contact points or plates, and make electrical connection therewith, a transformer coil in electrical connection with one or more of said fingers, a handle turning said contact device, means for arresting the turning of 130 auto-Sta rter,

said handle at a predetermined intermediate position for a proper interval of time, means for holding-said handle at final, position and means for quickly throwing said handle back to its initial position Without its stopping at any intermediate position, substantially as described.

2. In an ante-starter, a movable contact device, contact points or plates on said device, fingers which successively bear on differentcontact points or plates and make electrical connection therewith, a transformer coil in electrical connection With one or more of said fingers; a handle tunning said contact device, a catch arresting the movement of said handle at mined intermediate position, a projection. engaging said catch at said position, means for removing said catch'from engagement- With said projection whereby said handle may be moved to its final or run posia predeterrelease, means whereby on the release of said handle the l l I l l contact plates may be thrown back to their initial position by a quick breaking of the electrical connections, causedby the throwiiig back of said handle from its final to its initial position, which handle stops at no intermediate position, an arm on said handle, a bumper Whichtakes up the recoil ofsaid handle on l3iI13"SllUCl( by said arm, substantially as described.

GEORGE 1, ASHLEY. Witnesses Unit-s, A. TEGNER, PEARL Toni). 

